Whenever someone is charged with a crime, no matter how serious or minor the charge is, they should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Not having adequate legal counsel can only be slightly worse than not hiring a criminal attorney at all. 

A criminal defense attorney in Erie PA can help protect the rights of one or more suspects, especially against prosecutors and police officers who may wish to take advantage of uninformed and defenseless individuals.

Image Source: Google

The first step to hiring a criminal defense attorney is to only look for lawyers who specialize in certain types of crimes. It pays to spend time compiling lists and making calls based on phone book entries and search engine searches using the terms "criminal defense attorney" and city/state. Once the list is complete, call to see what each company does and how much they charge. 

Some people find it a good idea to see a lawyer from the particular firm they are considering acting on before hiring them. While not everyone has the luxury of sitting in a courtroom and evaluating potential criminal defense attorneys, it is still good practice and only serves to emphasize the importance of preparation before being charged with a crime. 

Lastly, remember that criminal cases are often as long as they are troublesome. That's why it's a good idea to choose a criminal defense attorney that suits you.